Mesa Fertilization Comment Period Extended

The Bureau of Land Management Pinedale Field Office (PFO), in conjunction with the Pinedale Anticline Project Office (PAPO), is extending the comment period for an environmental assessment (EA) which analyzes a fertilization project. Originally, the comment period was slated to end July 15, but has been extended to take comments through July 21. The program is a two-part treatment of aerially applied nitrogen, not to exceed 80 pounds per acre, to 3,090 acres of sagebrush on the Mesa. The first application would be to approximately 1,000 acres in the fall of 2011; if proven successful, the remaining 2,090 acres may be treated in the fall of 2012.

The proposed Mesa Sagebrush Fertilization Project (MSFP) is located entirely on public land approximately 10 miles southwest of Pinedale, Wyo., within the western portion of the Mesa on the northern part of the Anticline. The project is located within the Mesa Common Allotment in the following areas: T32N R110W Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, 25 and 36; and T32N R109W Sections 30 and 31.

The project area is well documented for its importance to wintering mule deer from the Sublette Mule Deer Herd and has historically wintered 3,000-5,000 of these animals. Fertilization may help to offset direct and indirect habitat losses on and adjacent to natural gas development sites in the Pinedale Anticline Project Area by increasing sagebrush production, enhancing available winter forage and potentially increasing palatability and nutrient quality.

In the fall of 2010, 468 acres to the north of this proposed MSFP area were fertilized with the same goals and objectives; this Wyoming Game and Fish Department proposal, as approved by the PAPO Board of Directors, would expand on that project.

The EA will analyze the effects of implementing the MSFP and the PAPO is seeking public comments to help identify potential issues, concerns, ideas and alternatives to be addressed in the EA. Mail or deliver written comments by July 21 to Theresa Gulbrandson, PAPO wildlife biologist, 1625 West Pine, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, WY 82941; or fax to 307-367-5329; or email to tgulbran@blm.gov with “Mesa Fertilization” in the subject line.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.